Announcing the move, the government cited the case of a former senior member of Reform UK who was jailed for taking bribes to promote Russian interests in the European Parliament
International News via Reuters:
The British government on Tuesday ordered a probe into foreign financial interference in politics.
Announcing the move, the government cited the case of a former senior member of Reform UK who was jailed for taking bribes to promote Russian interests in the European Parliament.
Nathan Gill, a former Reform UK leader in Wales and ex-MEP, was jailed last month for more than 10 years after admitting he took about 40,000 pounds ($53,732) in bribes to make pro-Russian speeches between 2018 and 2019.
“The facts are clear. A British politician took bribes to further the interests of the Russian regime,” Housing Secretary Steve Reed said in a statement.
“This conduct is a stain on our democracy. The independent review will work to remove that stain.”
Reform UK did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
($1 = 0.7444 pounds)
Reporting by Sarah Young and Muvija M, writing by Sam Tabahriti; editing by William James
The fire broke out on the evening of November 4 on the seventh floor of the building, where 180 elderly residents lived
International News via Reuters:
Bosnian police on Tuesday detained two officials over a deadly fire at a retirement home in the northeastern town of Tuzla that killed 17 people, prosecutors said.
The fire broke out on the evening of November 4 on the seventh floor of the building, where 180 elderly residents lived.
Ten people died during the night from breathing in fumes and seven more died in the following days. Dozens were hurt.
An initial investigation showed the fire was caused by a short circuit in the room of one of the residents.
Prosecutors allege the officials failed to provide fire protection measures, adequate staffing and security systems that could have sped up evacuation. Both were questioned as accomplices in committing grave criminal acts against public safety, the prosecutor’s office said.
Further steps will be decided after questioning, it said.
Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Ros Russell
Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, left his hometown in Syria’s northwest province of Idlib nearly 20 years ago to seek work in Australia
International News via Reuters:
As Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years unfolded, a Sydney shopowner was captured on camera charging at one of the gunmen and disarming him. Halfway around the world in Syria, a group of men watching the footage recognised a familiar face.
Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, left his hometown in Syria’s northwest province of Idlib nearly 20 years ago to seek work in Australia. On Sunday, he was wounded after wrestling a rifle away from a man attacking a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, in which 15 people were killed.
SYRIA IS ‘PROUD OF HIM’
His uncle, Mohammed al-Ahmed, recognised him from footage circulating online.
“We learned through social media. I called his father and he told me that it was Ahmed. Ahmed is a hero, we’re proud of him. Syria in general is proud of him,” the uncle told Reuters.
The family hails from the town of Nayrab, which was bombed heavily during Syria’s nearly 14-year war, which ended when longtime leader Bashar al-Assad was ousted in a rebel offensive launched from Idlib last year.
Ahmed said his nephew left Syria in 2006 after completing a degree at Aleppo University. He hasn’t been back since.
“Since he was young, he was gallant and a hero,” his uncle said, describing him as a happy and passionate person.
“He acted impulsively without thinking who the people were that were being killed – without knowing their religion, if they were Muslim or Christian or Jewish. That’s what made him jump up and carry out this heroic act.”
‘PEACEMAKERS, NOT WARMONGERERS’
Ahmed, who now holds Australian citizenship and has two daughters, remains in a Sydney hospital with gunshot wounds. He has been hailed as a hero around the world, including by U.S. President Donald Trump.
A GoFundMe campaign set up for him has raised more than A$2.2 million ($1.5 million).
Back at home, the Ahmed family home remains in ruins. Piles of smashed cinderblocks ring the concrete carcass of the two-storey house, whose walls are punctured by shelling.
“This is Ahmed’s father’s home. It got destroyed during the war. Bombing, bombing from planes, missiles – every type of weapon,” Ahmed’s cousin, who is also named Mohammad al-Ahmed, told Reuters.
He said his cousin “was the reason that many innocent people who did nothing wrong were saved.”
“He will prove to the world that Muslims are peacemakers, not warmongerers,” said Ahmed.
Reporting by Mahmoud Hasano; Writing by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Sharon Singleton
The EU is now easing emissions targets for 2035 amid strong pushback from the industry, which says EV demand has picked up more slowly than expected
International News via Reuters:
As the European Union has looked to push carmakers towards electric vehicles, sales of EVs across the continent have been uneven, skewed more to northern and western countries, while nations further south and east have tended to lag.
The EU is now easing emissions targets for 2035 amid strong pushback from the industry, which says EV demand has picked up more slowly than expected and it needs more time to make the shift from combustion engines.
In Norway, where the government has used its oil-funded sovereign wealth fund to subsidise EVs and invest in charging infrastructure, EV sales hit 94% of total car sales in the first seven months of 2025, data from consultancy Inovev shows.
Other Nordic governments and nations in northern and western Europe have also provided subsidies and invested in infrastructure, boosting sales.
However, EV adoption in southern and eastern Europe has been much slower, as electric cars have proved expensive for many buyers and charging infrastructure is virtually non-existent in some regions. Croatia is at just 1%, Inovev data shows.
The divergence means that across much of the continent the overall EV take-up rate in the first seven months of this year has been in the low- to mid-single digits.
The EU has earmarked funds for charging infrastructure and some EV subsidies across the bloc. But in markets like Spain that have launched programmes to support electric car purchases, Chinese automakers offering more affordable models have benefited more than their European rivals
The easing of EU emissions targets could dampen investment in charging infrastructure, a critical element for mass EV adoption. Some automakers are already scaling back ambitions, with Renault recently paring back its EV charging plans as it prioritises profitability in a tough market.
Reporting by Nick Carey and Marie Mannes; Editing by Mark Potter
The race for the Bermuda Premier Division title is on a knife-edge as the season reaches its traditional midpoint with four teams separated by just four points. Dandy Town Hornets currently hold the slenderest of leads at the summit with 19 points, but they are being hounded by a PHC Zebras side that sits just one point behind in second.
The chasing pack is led by North Village Rams on 16 points, while Devonshire Colts remain firmly in the conversation with 15. A significant mid-table logjam has formed further down the standings, with both Devonshire Cougars and X-Road’s tied on 13 points apiece. At the foot of the table, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate for Young Men Social Club and Boulevard Blazers, who both languish on four points and face a steep climb to safety.
Individual honors are also sparking fierce competition, with Senoj Mitchell of Devonshire Colts leading the Premier Division scoring charts with nine goals. However, he is far from comfortable, as Chae Brangman and Enrique Russell are both breathing down his neck with seven goals each. Donovan Thompson and David Jones are also within striking distance, having found the net six times so far this term.
In the First Division, the battle for promotion has developed into a dead heat between Somerset Trojans and Robin Hood, who are locked together at the top on 15 points. They have established a massive eight-point cushion over the rest of the field, where Somerset Eagles, Southampton Rangers, St. David’s, and Wolves are all tied on seven points. Meanwhile, veteran forward Keishen Bean is turning the Golden Boot race into a one-man show, having already netted a staggering 12 goals for Robin Hood to move eight clear of his nearest rival.
As St. George’s marks 25 years of recognition by UNESCO, the National Trust urges government to step up and safeguard the Old Town’s future
Credit: Meredith Andrews Photography
As Bermuda celebrates the 25th anniversary of the inscription of the Historic Town of St. George and Related Fortifications on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Bermuda National Trust (BNT) is urging renewed momentum, transparency, and coordinated leadership to safeguard the future of this internationally recognised site.
Credit: Meredith Andrews Photography
Like other stakeholders, BNT continues to await an update from the Bermuda Government on its response to the 2024 joint UNESCO/ICOMOS mission report, which identified key gaps in the site’s management and governance.
Credit: Meredith Andrews Photography
BNT has requested a meeting with responsible Ministries and stakeholders to support a coordinated path forward and has called for progress on core recommendations such as updating the management plan, establishing a dedicated management structure, and improving transparency and collaboration. To date, no reply has been received.
Credit: Meredith Andrews Photography
Dr Charlotte Andrews, Head of Cultural Heritage at BNT, emphasised both the opportunity and urgency of this anniversary year:
“The 25th anniversary of Bermuda’s World Heritage designation is a moment of pride but should also be a catalyst for meaningful action. UNESCO has provided clear guidance, and effective stewardship requires timely communication and Government leadership alongside active partnership.
Credit: Meredith Andrews Photography
Protecting our World Heritage Site’s Outstanding Universal Value is a responsibility we all share. Many partners contribute expertise, resources, and community engagement, but progress depends on Government establishing the framework and direction needed for genuine collective stewardship — to protect our heritage for generations to come and support our unique cultural tourism product. This anniversary should mark not only 25 years of recognition, but the beginning of a more sustainable future for Bermuda’s World Heritage Site.”
Credit: Meredith Andrews Photography
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, the Site encompasses the Town of St George — founded in 1612 and recognised as an outstanding example of the earliest English urban settlement in the New World — along with its associated fortifications, which vividly illustrate the evolution of English military engineering from the 17th to the 20th century through successive adaptations to advancing artillery.
The Warwick swim team has delivered a statement performance at the Queen City Dolphin meet, combining a significant medal haul with a string of personal milestones. In what served as a vital mid-season benchmark, the programme showcased both its elite individual talent and a formidable collective depth that saw swimmers consistently challenging in the finals.
Logan Jones spearheaded the individual success, enjoying a stellar weekend to secure a complete set of medals. Jones claimed a clinical Gold in the 100 Freestyle, a Silver in the 200 Freestyle, and Bronze finishes in both the 500 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke. The distance events proved equally fruitful for Warwick as Jorgia White powered to Gold in the 1000 Freestyle and Silver in the 1650, while Ethan Smith secured Gold in the 200 Freestyle to go along with a 500m Bronze.
Further podium finishes came from Jacob Leclerc and Elanna, who both earned Silvers, while Noah Fulton claimed a hard-fought Bronze in the 1000 Freestyle. The team’s prowess extended to the relays, where the Men’s A Medley and Freestyle quartets—featuring the likes of Axel Wernbo, Zach Johnson, and Jaime MacFarlane—secured Bronze and Silver respectively.
Head Coach Ben Smith praised the squad’s “real team culture,” noting that the results reflected the relentless daily work of both senior leaders and developing swimmers. With the momentum now firmly behind them, the team will begin an intensive Christmas training block at the NSC Aquatics Centre. The focus now shifts toward the Easterns Interscholastic Championships in February, where Warwick will look to translate this confidence into regional success.
Bermuda’s 2026 Davis Cup path has been confirmed, but the national team will be trading the Caucasus Mountains for the Mediterranean coast following a late change of scenery.
The World Group II Play-off against Georgia, scheduled for February 6th-7th, 2026, has been relocated from its original host nation to the Herodotou Tennis Academy in Larnaca, Cyprus. The move comes after facility issues in Georgia forced a venue change, though the Georgians will remain the official hosts for the hard-court encounter.
National Tennis Director and Captain Ricky Mallory Jr. is currently overseeing a rigorous local training camp, with competition for the final squad places reaching a fever pitch.
The battle for a spot on the plane will be decided through a series of play-offs running throughout December. Mallory has until the 31 December deadline to submit his final four-man roster to the Selection Committee.
While the local hunt for places continues, Bermuda’s leading overseas lights are already ramping up their preparations:
Trey Mallory is currently undergoing intensive training in Florida.
Daniel Phillips remains in Louisiana, balancing university competition with national team duties.
The Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) is currently seeking corporate sponsorship to support the logistical demands of the trip.
The Latimer House Principles, a Commonwealth framework, protect freedom of expression while affirming the need for order, restraint, and mutual respect
Why Parliamentary ethics matter: Statement by Senator Lauren Hayward Bell:
Democracy rarely collapses in a single moment. More often, it erodes gradually – when standards slip, when conduct overshadows purpose, and when public confidence begins to fray. In such moments, the most important question is not who is right or wrong, but whether our democratic institutions are strong enough to withstand disagreement without losing the trust of the people they serve.
This challenge is not unique to Bermuda. It was a central theme at the recent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference, where parliamentarians from 56 countries, representing nearly 30% of the world’s population, gathered to reflect on the state of democracy and the pressures facing legislatures globally.
The CPA exists precisely for moments like these.
Established in 1911, the CPA is one of the world’s oldest parliamentary organisations. Its role is not symbolic. It provides a clear framework for democratic conduct through instruments such as the CPA Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures and the Latimer House Principles, which together emphasise accountability, ethical behaviour, respect for dissent, and the protection of institutional integrity.
At the heart of these standards is a simple truth: public trust is democracy’s currency. Without it, laws lose legitimacy, debate becomes performative, and institutions weaken.
Parliamentary ethics are sometimes dismissed as matters of decorum or personality. In reality, they are about institutional credibility. The CPA Benchmarks make clear that democratic legislatures must maintain standards of conduct that uphold public confidence, ensure transparency, and safeguard the dignity of the institution.
Unsubstantiated allegations, particularly when made in parliamentary spaces, carry consequences far beyond the moment in which they are uttered. When behaviour within parliamentary chambers becomes the focus of public attention, the cost is borne not by individuals alone, but by democracy itself. Cynicism deepens. Engagement declines. And trust, once lost, is difficult to restore.
Democracy is not unanimity. It depends on debate, challenge, and disagreement. But democratic maturity lies in recognising that dissent must operate within shared norms.
As Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley reminded delegates at the CPA Conference, “In democracies, the decision and the dissent can live under the same roof.” That balance is essential. Dissent strengthens democracy when it is exercised with respect for rules, institutions, and the public interest.
The Latimer House Principles reinforce this balance by protecting freedom of expression while affirming the need for order, restraint, and mutual respect. Democratic strength is measured not by the absence of conflict, but by how disagreement is managed.
It is easy to uphold principles when politics is calm. The real test comes during moments of tension and scrutiny. That is precisely why standards exist; not as abstract ideals, but as practical guides when judgment matters most.
The CPA Benchmarks remind us that parliamentarians are not merely political actors; they are custodians of democratic institutions. Their conduct shapes public perceptions of fairness, legitimacy, and governance itself.
Bermuda has a proud parliamentary tradition and a strong democratic foundation. But strength should never breed complacency. Moments that test public confidence should be met not with defensiveness, but with reflection and recommitment.
Reaffirming ethical standards is not an admission of weakness. It is a declaration of responsibility—to democracy, to accountability, and to the people whom Parliament serves.
Democracy is not inherited automatically. It must be practised daily—through restraint, integrity, and respect for the institutions that give it life.
Public trust is fragile, but it is renewable when leaders choose standards over spectacle and principle over provocation. In the end, parliamentary ethics are not about protecting politicians. They are about protecting democracy itself.
Bermudian goalkeeper Nathan Trott will be the last line of defence as League One leaders Cardiff City host Premier League giants Chelsea in a high-stakes Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Cardiff City, rejuvenated under Brian Barry-Murphy, have become the story of the competition. After dumping out Burnley and Welsh rivals Wrexham, they now face their toughest test yet at a sold-out Cardiff City Stadium.
Trott has been a revelation since joining on loan from FC Copenhagen, becoming the first goalkeeper in Cardiff’s history to start his career with five consecutive clean sheets. He heads into tonight’s clash in formidable form, having recorded his eighth shut-out of the season just last week.
“Nathan has been monumental for us,” Barry-Murphy told his club’s website. “To beat a side like Chelsea, you need your keeper to have the game of his life. He’s shown he’s more than capable of that.”
Despite their status as heavy favourites, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will rotate his squad amidst a grueling December schedule.
Cole Palmer will sit out as part of his injury management.
Marc Cucurella misses the tie through suspension.
Moises Caicedo is expected to return to the starting XI to provide steel in midfield.
Chelsea have already tasted success in 2025, lifting the Conference League and the Club World Cup, but Maresca warned his side against complacency: “Cardiff are full of attacking quality and will be backed by a fantastic atmosphere. These are the most dangerous games.”
Premier pays tribute to public service awardee, Alana Wilson
The Government of Bermuda is pleased to recognise Alana Wilson, of the Department of Education, as the November recipient of the Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA).
Since assuming the role of Head of Victor Scott Preschool in September 2025, Mrs. Wilson has demonstrated consistent leadership in support of her team, students, and families. She routinely steps out of the office to assist in classrooms, provides supervision during busy periods to relieve teaching staff, and has implemented practical improvements that contribute to a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Among her recent initiatives, Mrs. Wilson introduced an early drop-off service in direct response to feedback from parents who were struggling with early morning work commitments. She personally arrives at the school before the official start time to ensure that families have access to this support.
She also contributes directly to student development by helping deliver emotional and social learning programmes that promote kindness, respect, and empathy among young learners. These efforts not only support children’s well-being but also foster a culture of care that positively impacts the wider school community.
Head of the Public Service, Cherie Whitter, shared, “Mrs. Wilson’s practical, people-first leadership reflects the service culture we are building across the Public Service. Her actions speak volumes about the impact of empathy and collaboration in leadership.”
Premier David Burt, JP, MP, added, “Mrs. Wilson embodies what it means to serve with compassion and purpose. By listening to the concerns of parents, supporting her teaching staff, she has made a positive impact on Victor Scott Preschool. In a setting where the needs are complex, her leadership stands out as an example of how public servants go above and beyond to better serve the people of Bermuda.”
And the Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, noted, “We’re proud to recognise Mrs. Wilson for her service at Victor Scott Preschool. Her leadership supports not just learning outcomes, but stronger families and communities.”
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